Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter recently visited a significant family mausoleum, a move seen by experts as solidifying her position as a potential successor to her father. The visit took place on New Year’s Day and raised speculation that Kim Ju-ae, reportedly around 13 years old, might be appointed to a high-ranking role at the upcoming Workers’ Party congress.
Images released by North Korea’s state media depicted Kim Ju-ae alongside her parents at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the preserved bodies of her late grandfather and great-grandfather are kept. According to Cheong Seong-Chang of the Sejong Institute in South Korea, this visit to the palace, a symbol of the North Korean regime’s legitimacy, was a strategic move ahead of the party congress.
As the third-generation leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, 41, regularly pays homage to his father and grandfather at the Kumsusan Palace. It is speculated that Kim Jong-un might appoint his daughter to a key position within the Workers’ Party, possibly as the first secretary, during the congress. However, differing opinions exist regarding her readiness for such a prominent role due to her young age.
The upcoming Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years, aims to set new state policies and reorganize officials. While the exact date of the congress has not been announced, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service suggests it will likely occur in January or February.
Since making her debut in state media in November 2022, Kim Ju-ae has been present at various public events with her father, including military demonstrations and state visits. Her public appearances, including a recent New Year’s Day celebration where she affectionately kissed her father, indicate a close bond between them.
The National Intelligence Service has identified Kim Ju-ae as a potential successor to her father, although some experts question this assessment due to Kim Jong-un’s youth and the predominantly male-centric power structure in North Korea. The disclosure of Kim Ju-ae to the public has surprised many foreign analysts, as neither Kim Jong-un nor his father were featured in state media before adulthood. This deliberate exposure of Kim Ju-ae in public events is believed to be a strategic move by Kim Jong-un to garner support for his plan to continue the family’s leadership.